Trump welcomes Macron to White House ahead of state dinner

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcomed President Emmanuel Macron of France and his wife, Brigitte Macron, to the White House on Tuesday morning in an elaborate arrival ceremony that featured a smaller-scale showing of military might than Trump witnessed on Bastille Day in Paris in July.

After greeting one another with two kisses and a firm handshake on the South Lawn, the American president proceeded to introduce his French counterpart to a receiving line of top U.S. officials, including Vice President Mike Pence, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and chief of staff John Kelly.

The two Western leaders, separated in age by more than three decades, solemnly stood shoulder-to-shoulder as blasts of cannon fire punctuated a military band performance of “La Marseillaise,” the French national anthem, followed by “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Macron and Trump then patrolled past several flanks of nearly 500 members of the U.S. Armed Forces in the traditional “Review of the Troops” — a military practice dating back to the 17th century — before ascending to an elevated podium to address various Cabinet secretaries, members of Congress, military families and students from the Maya Angelou French Immersion School in Temple Hills, Maryland.

“Welcome to the White House,” declared Trump, framed by American and French flags in the foreground. “Melania and I were honored to visit your majestic country last summer. Now, we are thrilled to host you and Brigitte here in America.”

Trump also thanked Macron and his government “for their steadfast partnership” in the U.S. airstrike against Syria earlier this month, facilitated by America’s European allies. “They were absolutely incredible,” Trump said of the French military forces.

“This morning, we all send our prayers to the Bush family as we wish former President George H.W. Bush a very speedy recovery,” Trump said. The president also expressed the nation’s “deepest sympathies to the Canadian people” after a van plowed into a group of people in Toronto Monday, killing 10 and injuring 15.

“The wonderful friendship we have developed over the past year is a testament to the enduring friendship that binds our two nations,” Trump said. “Today we meet to affirm this friendship that has flourished as an example to the world for more than two centuries.”

“Over the last century, we have weaved our histories through our common struggles,” Macron added. “Thank you for your warm welcome and for honoring France and the Franco-American friendship.”

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Irene Duym

Listened to E Macron’s address live on CNN. Good speech (somehow pompous as is the case under similar circumstances) setting out some facts that deserved to be emphasised and clearly aiming at enhancing the close relationship between both countries since US independence, underlining a powerful, reliable ally ever since, and paying tribute to the US support during WW1 and WW2. Surely, Macron’s words were meant at praising US role on the international scene as well. Even if this is but a political show that won’t in any way influence political decisions on both sides, and despite differences of opinion, the approach may seal a lasting friendly relationship and pave the way for easier discussions. Both presidents seem to accept the fact to respect and appreciate each other while disagreeing on various issues, leaving the door open to an open dialogue even in the case where conflicting priorities may emerge depending on political choices. Macron and Trump are pragmatic, liberal leaders of a different kind, but they may get along well.